Tsunami advisories have been issued for parts of the Southern and Central California coasts after a massive earthquake struck Chile.

The U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) issued advisories covering the coasts from San Onofre State Beach to Point Piedras Blancas in San Luis Obispo County. The advisories were also in effect for the Channel Islands.

"If you are located in this coastal area, move off the beaches and out of harbors and marinas," according to an NWS statement.

The advisory warned of expected strong currents that could prove "hazardous to swimmers, boats and coastal structures."

"Areas within the advisory should not expect widespread inundation, however, there is the potential for strong currents in harbors and marinas."

The earthquake that spurred the warning struck off the coast of central Chile at 3:54 p.m. local time and had a preliminary magnitude of 8.2.

Waves were expected to arrive in Los Angeles Harbor and Newport Beach at about 4:45 a.m. Thursday with peak wave heights of less than a foot, according to the NWS. The first waves to hit may not be the largest, forecasters said.

At Los Angeles Harbor, a low tide of 1.8 feet will be reached at 5:28 a.m. Thursday and a high tide of 5 feet at 11:48 a.m. Thursday, according to the NWS.

The Los Angeles Fire Department announced at Tuesday night it will set up a unified command post with city law enforcement, beginning at 3:30 a.m.

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